Idioms
English fixed expressions — phrases whose meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. Each entry shows the meaning, an example sentence, and its register.
88 idioms
Tier 1 · common (18)
on the other hand
Neutral
used to introduce a contrasting point of view or alternative
bear in mind
Neutral
to remember and consider something when making a decision
on the one hand
Neutral
used to introduce the first of two contrasting points or sides of an argument
in the hands of
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under the control or responsibility of someone
in the long run
Neutral
over a long period of time; eventually
trial and error
Neutral
trying different methods until you find one that works
in the early days
Neutral
during the beginning stages of something
in the short run
Neutral
over a short period of time; in the near future
the whole story
Neutral
all the facts about a situation, including ones not yet known
the high point
Neutral
the best or most enjoyable part of an event or period
make up one's own mind
Neutral
to decide something for yourself, independently of others
on one hand
Neutral
used to introduce the first of two contrasting points
overall picture
Neutral
the complete view of a situation, including all the main parts
golden rule
Neutral
the most important rule or principle to follow
the good life
Neutral
a comfortable, enjoyable way of living, often with few worries
pros and cons
Neutral
the advantages and disadvantages of something
a fair share
Neutral
a reasonable or fairly large amount of something
make up one's mind
Neutral
to reach a decision about something
Tier 2 · intermediate (59)
the balance of power
Neutral
the way power or influence is distributed between competing groups or countries
the bottom line
Neutral
the most important fact or the final result of something
take on board
Neutral
to accept and consider an idea, suggestion, or piece of information
by and large
Neutral
generally; on the whole
a step further/back
Neutral
to take an idea or action to a more advanced point (further) or to reconsider it (back)
take for granted
Neutral
to fail to appreciate something or assume it will always be there
along the lines of
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similar to; roughly in the style or manner of
balance of power
Neutral
the way power or influence is shared between competing groups or nations
at the back of one's mind
Neutral
a thought or worry that you are vaguely aware of but not focusing on
across the board
Neutral
affecting everyone or everything equally
in its own right
Neutral
by its own qualities, independently of anything else
driving force
Neutral
the person or thing that makes something happen or develop
on the face of it
Neutral
judging only by appearances, without deeper examination
come into play
Neutral
to start to have an effect or become relevant
gold standard
Neutral
the best or most reliable example of its kind
go without saying
Neutral
to be so obvious that it does not need to be stated
(take) a step back/further
Neutral
to pause and reconsider (back), or to develop something more (further)
state of the art
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using the most advanced and modern techniques or technology
the man/woman in the street
Neutral
an ordinary, average person
stepping stone
Neutral
something that helps you make progress toward a goal
get to grips with
Neutral
to begin to understand and deal with a difficult problem or task
go hand in hand with
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to be closely connected or to happen together
the big picture
Neutral
the most important facts about a situation and its overall effect, rather than the details
bridge the gap
Neutral
to reduce or remove the difference between two things or groups
golden age
Neutral
a period when something was at its most successful or admired
grey area
Neutral
a situation that is unclear or not covered by clear rules
the other side of the coin
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a different or opposite aspect of a situation
last resort
Neutral
the final option, used only when all others have failed
cast one's mind back
Neutral
to think about something that happened in the past
full circle
Neutral
back to the original position or state after a series of changes
out of one's hands
Neutral
no longer one's responsibility or under one's control
in the pipeline
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being planned or developed and expected to happen soon
behind the scenes
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happening privately or secretly, not in public view
spring to mind
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to come into your thoughts suddenly and easily
take home message
Neutral
the main point or lesson you should remember from something
ring true
Neutral
to seem true or believable
set something in stone
Neutral
to make something fixed and impossible to change
in store
Neutral
about to happen or waiting to be experienced in the future
go down that route
Neutral
to choose a particular method or course of action
turn something on its head
Neutral
to completely change something or make it the opposite of what it was
on one's hands
Neutral
as one's responsibility or problem to deal with
track record
Neutral
a person's or organization's past performance and achievements
come to light
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to become known or be discovered, especially something hidden
one's fair share
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a reasonable or quite large amount of something, especially difficulties
the big(ger) picture
Neutral
the wider, more important situation rather than the small details
rule of thumb
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a rough, practical guideline based on experience rather than exact measurement
dear to one's heart
Neutral
very important to someone and loved deeply
to say the least
Neutral
used to show that something is more extreme than your words suggest
set the scene
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to describe the background so that something can be understood, or to create the conditions for it
have the upper hand
Neutral
to have an advantage or more control than someone else
on that note
Neutral
used to move on or end after what was just said
in one's sights
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chosen as a target or goal that you intend to achieve or pursue
set foot in
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to enter or visit a place, often used in negatives
a bad press
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unfavorable reporting or reputation in the media or among people
get one's message across
Neutral
to make people understand what you mean or want to say
stand to reason
Neutral
to be logical or obvious
go down the road of
Neutral
to start following a particular course of action
throw up one's hands
Neutral
to show that you give up or feel helpless about something
cast an eye over
Neutral
to look at or examine something quickly
Tier 3 · advanced (11)
beg the question
Neutral
to make one naturally want to ask a particular question; (formally) to assume the very point being argued
set in tablets of stone
Neutral
fixed permanently and impossible to change
at loggerheads
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in strong disagreement or conflict with someone
sow seeds of thought
Neutral
to introduce ideas that may grow and develop in people's minds later
grass roots movement
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a movement started and driven by ordinary people rather than leaders or organizations
put one's head above the parapet
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to risk criticism by stating an opinion publicly
moot point
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a question that is debatable or no longer relevant because it has been settled or made irrelevant
round robin
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an arrangement in which everyone takes a turn or competes against everyone else; or a letter sent to many people
not to mince one's words
Neutral
to speak directly and honestly, even if it is unpleasant
the powers that be
Neutral
the people who hold authority and make important decisions
devil's advocate
Neutral
someone who argues against an idea just to test it or explore other views